This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes an emerging story out of the U.K., where the Church of England has decided to make a "trial run" on "blessing" same-sex unions, another step, perhaps, to full endorsement of same-sex marriage. Also, a Wisconsin city has done an about face regarding expressions of Christmas by city employees. Plus, there's news out of Finland, where a Member of Parliament has netted a victory for free speech.
Church of England approves LGBT-affirming action
It's not a full-blown approval of same-sex marriage - yet. But, the Church of England, in succumbing to pressure, has voted on a measure that would try out some sort of "blessing" of same-sex unions.
Not marriage, but it does seem to be a step in that direction. FoxNews.com reported that:
The Church of England (COE) is introducing special services meant to allow blessings for same-sex couples — without the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
An amendment put forward to establish a trial run of non-matrimonial religious services for homosexual couples passed the COE parliament by just a single vote.
The Archbishop, Justin Welby didn't vote against the measure, though - he merely abstained, presumably in the name of "unity."
The article notes:
The services are explicitly not to be considered weddings, as the COE still holds that Christian marriage is between one man and one woman.
However, as the services are allowed to utilize rings, prayers and priestly blessings, many are concerned the accommodations have effectively overruled this marital doctrine.
FoxNews.com also reported, "Gay marriage and acceptance of homosexual lifestyles have formed an increasingly devastating schism in the worldwide Anglican Communion." It is apparent that compromise with biblical heresy is not an acceptable path to "unity."
WI city reverses course on Christmas decorations
The city of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin had issued guidelines for its employees and property regarding Christmas decorations to reject traditional expressions of decor. But, when push came to shove, the city backed off and attempted to redefine what it had actually said.
The Higher Ground Times, a division of The Washington Times, reported that the controversy started with an e-mail over a week ago, stating:
Melissa Cantarero Weiss, deputy city administrator, sent an email asking employees to “refrain from using religious decorations or [those] solely associated with Christmas (such as red and green colors) when decorating public spaces within city buildings.”
The article notes:
Ms. Weiss’ original email said decorations should be “inclusive” and “equitable” claiming a need to “celebrate the season without favoring any particular belief system.”
Just days later, city administrator Jim Archambo...
...wrote employees saying that while “concerns from residents” prompted “city leaders, as a team” to support the Weiss email, her message was not a policy directive, was not a “requirement to decorate or not decorate a certain way,” nor did it tell workers “they cannot bring their full selves to work.”
Employees were not told “they cannot decorate their individual work spaces,” Mr. Archambo wrote.
Yeah, right - the Higher Ground Times points out that, "the about-face came 48 hours after Liberty Counsel, a public policy nonprofit, blasted the city for an 'Orwellian and unconstitutional' prohibition."
Member of Parliament in Finland found innocent of "hate speech" for using Biblical references
A long ordeal for a Member of the Parliament in Finland seems to have come to a conclusion, at least temporarily, according to a report on the Alliance Defending Freedom website, which states that...
...the Helsinki Court of Appeal has dismissed all charges against Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola, who were both tried for “hate speech” in August after publicly expressing their Christian beliefs.
So, what did these individuals do that was so egredious, so hateful? ADF states:
Räsänen, Finland’s former Interior Minister and a grandmother of 11, was formally charged with “agitation against a minority group” in 2021 under a section of the Finnish criminal code titled “war crimes and crimes against humanity” for sharing her Christian beliefs on marriage and sexual ethics in a 2019 tweet, in addition to a 2019 live radio debate and 2004 church pamphlet. Pohjola was charged for publishing Räsänen’s 2004 pamphlet. The case has garnered global media attention as human rights experts voiced concern over the threat posed to free speech.The Helsinki appeals court upheld a lower court ruling from last year, stating, that it “has no reason, on the basis of the evidence received at the main hearing, to assess the case in any respect differently from the District Court."
The court has ordered the prosecution to pay tens of thousands in legal fees to cover costs incurred by both defendants. The prosecution could appeal a final time to the Supreme Court, with a deadline of Jan. 15, 2024.
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